Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

plans didn't materialize

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When their gaming plans didn't materialize, the Shinnecocks were "left with nothing," as the tribal member told me.

News & Media

Vice

De Jetley said this may be a better approach than Murdock's public meetings which left some residents frustrated when plans didn't materialize.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He said he was further dismayed when plans did not materialize to hold art workshops for young people.

News & Media

The New York Times

Madonna had been asked to perform at the Super Bowl in 1998 and 2000, but plans did not materialize after she cancelled.

However, the plans did not materialized, so the hot spring remained untouched and forgotten.

Although the plan did not materialize, Nicholas sent the celebrated Franciscan missionary Giovanni da Montecorvino to Kublai Khan's court, which led to establishment of the first Roman Catholic church in China.

The plan did not materialize because it was decided at the Potsdam Conference that U.S. forces would bypass the Indies, so he and his fellows were sent to the European Theater.

"Magic Dance" was released as a 12" single in the U.S. "As the World Falls Down" was initially slated for release as a follow-up single to "Underground" at Christmas in 1986, but this plan did not materialize.

So, if deep changes envisioned by the plan do not materialize, or even if they do materialize but cause major upheaval in the society (which I believe they will), we will have a bloody revolution with consequences that will be far-reaching, not only for Saudi Arabia itself, but for the entire region and beyond.

News & Media

Huffington Post

As for the backyard plans, they didn't materialize as intended.

News & Media

The New York Times

But the plans I made for Wallis to speak didn't materialize.

News & Media

Huffington Post
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using the uncontracted version "did not materialize" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "materialize" for simple everyday actions. While "it didn't happen" is general, "plans didn't materialize" specifically implies a transition from a concept or plan to a concrete reality that failed to occur.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

In the phrase "plans didn't materialize", the word "plans" acts as the plural subject followed by a negative past-tense verb phrase. According to Ludwig, this structure is a complete clause often used in narrative contexts to explain the absence of an expected outcome.

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plans didn't materialize" is a reliable and grammatically correct way to describe an intention that failed to become a reality. While the exact phrase appears somewhat infrequently in Ludwig's database, its components and variations like "did not materialize" are widespread across high-authority sources such as The New York Times and The New Yorker. It serves a neutral communicative purpose, making it suitable for both professional reports and general storytelling. Writers should favor this expression when they wish to emphasize the gap between a conceptual plan and its physical or practical manifestation, though they should consider the uncontracted version for strictly formal documents.

FAQs

How to use "plans didn't materialize" in a sentence?

You can use it as a complete explanation for an unfulfilled goal, for example: "We hoped for a merger, but the plans didn't materialize due to financial constraints."

What can I say instead of "plans didn't materialize"?

Depending on the context, you could say the plans "fell through", "didn't pan out" or simply "failed to happen".

Is "plans did not materialize" better than the contracted form?

The choice depends on the register; the full form "did not materialize" is preferred in academic and formal reports, while the contracted form is standard in journalism and casual conversation.

What's the difference between "plans didn't materialize" and "plans failed"?

"Materialize" suggests the plans never reached a physical or active state, whereas "failed" can imply they started but didn't reach the desired outcome.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: